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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Midweek break in Dublin

30 replies

Novacane · 17/03/2008 16:06

Hello all,

we are going to Dublin for a midweek break in April. It will be DH. DS (4) and myself.

I don't know what to do about a hotel, and was hoping some of you guys that have been before or live there could offer some recommendations?

We basically need this holiday to be as stress free as possible- so would like a hotel that it is near to an airport shuttle bus stop.

We need it to be close to public transport, or the sight seeing bus, so in a good location, but as we have LO, we would like somewhere that is not rowdy/nightclubs/noisy etc- Family friendly hotel?
We would love to spend time at the zoo, and the park that is there, am I right in thinking that is the west of the city? So would it be easier to have a base near there?

so really we need a nice hotel (good 3 star, 4 star), in a nice location but not rowdy, near to public transport and is family friendly.

Are the Dublin passes (3 days) worth getting, do they save you a lot of money?

SOOO many questions I know, but this break means so much to me, I don't want to mess it up, we really need something to go right, just for once!

OP posts:
rosturra · 18/03/2008 00:00

Very quick reply from a former Dub. I lived there 11 years and loved it!!.Don't stay out near the Zoo. It is not central so I would just head there for your day trip. Easy to get to.Definently get a Bus/Luas pass, they are good value when you can hop on and off buses. Remember they don't cover special open top bus tours!! I like Cassidy's hotel in the centre of Dublin. They are at the top of O'Connell street and are very child friendly. The Airport bus will drop you almost at the door. I about to head to bed but will write more in the morning. My son (3 Years) loves Dublin!!!HTH

rosturra · 18/03/2008 00:06

Just another thought, if you find a hotel you like,write out the names and I can tell you whether they are decent or not. I'm not sure of your budget so it's hard to suggest a hotel as Dublin has a lot and you want to avoid the stag and hens!!! Although it is midweek so should be fine. I'm so jealous. I miss Dublin and am dying to get back myself!!!!

Original poster
Novacane · 18/03/2008 09:27

Hey rosturra, thankyou for the fab advice. I was looking at cassidys so will look at that again today. I will sit down tonight and draw up a short list and you can tell me what u think.

Tnaks again!

OP posts:
GrapefruitMoon · 19/03/2008 12:47

I've heard the zoo has got s bit run-down looking... anyone been recently? Also, re the airport bus, one of the normal buses goes all the way to the airport from the city-centre. Takes a bit longer as it stops more often, but is a lot cheaper than the official bus. Can find out which number it is if you want...

Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 18:31

That would be good grapefruit.

OP posts:
skidoodle · 19/03/2008 19:49

The 16 and the 41 both go to the city centre from the airport. It does take a bit longer but it's WAY cheaper. Probably worth getting one of the airport buses (or even a taxi for 3 of you) back to the airport when you're stuck for time. If you tell the driver where you're going he can tell you when to get off.

Other hotels to consider - Mespil Hotel by the Grand Canal, near Stephen's Green/Grafton St. It's really quiet around here but easy walking distance to the very centre of the city

Jury's Inn - this is in Christchurch, so right in the middle of the city, near the river. It's a great location in terms of being really central and near good things to see Christ Church itself, the Liberties, quite near the Guinness storehouse (this is expensive and quite a rip off, but the building is quite cool and you each get a free pint in a bar with a great view over the city).

What else - oh yeah bus access to hotels. Cassidy's is on the route of all the buses mentioned, oh, except the 41. If you get that it will go down Gardiner St I think, but should be able to leave you quite close to O'Connell St, maybe on Talbot St.. Jury's Inn you'd have to get off at College Green and walk up Dame St. This is a busy street and it's quite long so might be a pain with a LO. Mespil Hotel - either get the 16 to College Green or even ask for the nearest stop to Stephen's Green. Or get the Aircoach and get off on Leeson St near the canal, which leaves you very close and a nice walk down.

OK this is getting way too detailed and probably confusing. If you have any specific questions just ask. happy to help if I can.

VintageGardenia · 19/03/2008 19:57

I'd second the Mespil Hotel I think esp with a four-year-old it's nice to be staying somewhere a bit more tranquil. But from the Mespil you could walk into town (ten mins) and do it via Merrion Square or St Stephen's Green (you will see on maps) which are both nice parks with playgrounds for your DS (and ducks in the case of the Green).

The Phoenix Park is great, it's where the Zoo is, also Farmleigh House and there are deer and so on, but I would think going there one day only would be enough. And I wouldn't recommend staying nearby, as someone else said, it's nice by day but can be grimmish at night.

Are you looking for DS-centric things to do? I live in Dublin by the way!

VintageGardenia · 19/03/2008 20:02

The aircoach is a bit more expensive than a normal bus but it is quicker and comfier! 12 euro return. If you were staying at eg the Mespil (I don't work for them - stay where you like! ) your stop would prob be Pembroke Road.

I love that people want to come to Dublin!

Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 20:36

wow thanks for all the replies- once ds is in bed (he is off it atm, with conjunctivitis and the snots etc), will look up the mespil- it sounds good if it is quietish.

will be back for more advice soon, and i might finally decide where to stay!!

OP posts:
nannyL · 19/03/2008 20:41

Im off to Dublin tomorrow

will see if i see any nice hotels on the airport bus!

Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 21:26

have a good time nanny!!!

What do you guys think of the trinity capital hotel?

It looks quite up our street :-)

OP posts:
VintageGardenia · 19/03/2008 22:13

It's in Pearse St which is right in the centre of town & opposite one side of Trinity College, near a big police station and fire station (if your ds likes fire engines etc!). Will be near buses, DARTs, LUAS, river, etc, location very handy. Haven't been in the hotel I don't think, so can't comment on quality but you could scarcely be nearer everything.

Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 22:20

hmm the price is OK actually, about 100 quid a night. we are used to emergency service noise as we live in the town centre now so that would not bother us.

have emailed them for a quote. Am a scardy cat for using internet deals and agencies after a particularly horrible experience in Amsterdam on my 21st, where they denied all knowledge of our booking and we didnt have any more money for a hotel. (we were OK in the end though)

will let you know how i get on, then if i book it i will be able to get excited!!

OP posts:
skidoodle · 19/03/2008 22:32

Pearse St. is kind of rough, although the top end of it is pretty much OK. In the day it would be grand but maybe slightly dodgy at night with some undesirables coming in and out of the police station. But I would walk there at night and not worry, so I don't think it's especially dangerous. You'd have a posher but longer walk back to the Mespil, say, from the middle of town.

For this hotel you'd also get off at College Green and it would be a very short walk to the hotel. You'd also be fairly near Merrion Square, the park VintageGardenia mentioned.

rosturra · 19/03/2008 22:34

Hi Novacane,

I agree with all the replies, mespil is lovely, I lived near it for 7 years. It is about a 7-10 min walk to top of St.Stephens Green(where you have to go and feed the ducks!!) I said Cassidy's because my little fella wants to walk everywhere now and so the pram is history and Cassidy's is smack in the city centre. (Opposite the Gate theatre.)

I was wondering where I would stay if money was no object and I think it would have to be the Morrison Hotel(designed by John Rocha) Really funky inside and they also can't do enough for you. Again it's in the city centre (near the Hapenny Bridge).

I used always take the 41 bus from the airport when i was single, but since I had my son, I find the Aircoach or the Airlink easier(more direct and yes, more expensive) but if you check the Dublin Bus website they used to include the Airlink bus in the price of the Rambler ticket so it works out pretty reasonable then.

Last time I was at the Zoo was 1990(yes really) and I found it a wee bit run down then so not sure if has been improved.

God I miss Dublin, but I still get to visit so I get my fix!!!

chipmonkey · 19/03/2008 22:59

The Zoo is actually much improved! There is a whole new African Plains section which is more safari-park like in that the giraffes, zebras and ostriches are all in the same large enclosure and can wander around freely.
Also the elephants have a new pad, much more spacious than the previous one.
There are also more places to eat in the zoo.
Can't reallly help with hotels as I live in Meath so have no real need to stay over in Dublin!

rosturra · 19/03/2008 23:03

Oh I am so pleased about the Zoo, chipmonkey. The animals looked demented when I was there in 1990!!! You were lucky to get an ice-cream never mind eat anywhere!!

Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 23:04

right my shortlist is Mespil, cassidys and trinity capital.

will confer with the OH tonight. he wants somewhere where the hotel is nice (we had a horrid week in Majorca last year in a dump), the quality of the hotel does mean a lot to him, but we cant afford 5 star unfortunately!

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 19/03/2008 23:07

am looking forward to the zoo as DS love animals, we had a lovely time at marine land in majorca last year- glad to hear it will be a good day out!

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 20/03/2008 11:27

I have got it down to the mespil and trinity capital.

I understand Mespil is a bit posher area but further away from town, and trinity capital is on a busy road, a bit rougher but nearer.

I have looked at the pics and have to say the mespil looks nice by the canal etc.
The idea of walking through a park sounds nice too- so DS can have a run before being confined by a parent's hand/buggy etc.

Think I have talked myself into the Mespil??

OP posts:
rosturra · 20/03/2008 11:43

I would go with the mespil, if it's a nice hotel you are looking for and you don't mind a stroll then it is perfect. It is in a lovely suburban/office area with coffee shops and spar etc.

I think the aircoach will drop you at Baggot st Bridge which is right beside the hotel. Otherwise I can advise you re a bus from O'Connell street.( In fact I remember getting a bus from Leeson St(3 min walk) directly to the airport..on the 46A route. Any other dubs know if it still runs???)

rosturra · 20/03/2008 11:47

This is the link for the 746 which can take you to the airport from Leeson Street. Short walk from hotel.

www.dublinbus.ie/your_journey/viewer.asp?route=746

Original poster
Novacane · 26/03/2008 10:53

Hello Guys

After all that I have ended up booking Cassidys, found a good deal for a family room with Xcapewithus.com.

i am gioing to print this thread off for the handy tips, and will be back later on (as I get more excited) for more hints and tips!

Cheers me dears!

OP posts:
MadameCh0let · 26/03/2008 10:58

Imaginosity is worth a trip with kids. I went there over christmas with my four year old and she loved it. It's in sandymount.

I would definitely stay as near to the city centre as you can.

I'm from Wicklow but I know Dublin faiiiiiirly well.
I've heard the bad ass cafe in temple bar is very child friendly?!

MadameCh0let · 26/03/2008 11:17

PS, sorry if somebody else has already said this, but Dublin zoo has been tarted up. It's now absolutely lovely. REally well designed, loads more animals than in London zoo.. It's just very 'lush'. I feel silly typing the word lush